We have one of the most extensive Japanese study programs in Australia, engaging you with Japanese language, culture and society. Flexible entry points (beginners, intermediate and proficient) ensure language study at a level that suits your background.
Communicating in Japanese and being sensitive to diverse international contexts are useful complements to any course of study, whether it’s law, business or the visual arts. We’re cross-disciplinary which means we study Japanese from a variety of perspectives – historical, artistic, religious, political, international – especially within the broader Asian context.
You can study Japanese language at levels ranging from introductory to advanced, beginning at the point most appropriate to your study background. As you develop your proficiency in the language, you’ll also gain a broad understanding of Japan through topics such as:
Choose from a range of Japan-related units, including:
Japanese studies provides options for a future in:
Monash’s Manga Library has a collection of more than 7,000 manga (graphic novels), covering all genres in Japanese, English and other languages. The library is also a social space for you to interact and share your passion for all things Japanese. It’s located in the Japanese Studies Centre, a unique building that underlines Monash’s strong commitment to the study of Japan.
With Monash’s impressive international links, you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the Japanese language and culture to enhance your learning.
Short term programs:
Exchange programs to Japan include:
GIG: Global Immersion Guarantee
The Monash Arts Global Immersion Guarantee (GIG) is an award-winning initiative that will enable you to explore first-hand the relationships between society, technology and the environment. It’s a two- week, funded study trip for all eligible first- year Monash Arts, single or double degree students to one of six destinations – China, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia or the Pacific Islands.
When you study languages at Monash, you'll be studying at Australia’s largest international university, ranked in the top 1% in the world for Languages, Humanities and Social Sciences. We offer the most comprehensive, flexible and well-integrated program incorporating language acquisition with cultural competence. Choose from a wide range of Asian and European languages: Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese, and Korean; and French, German, Italian, and Spanish and Latin American studies (within the European Languages Area of Study). Find out more about Languages at Monash.
This area of study is offered in the following courses or can be taken where you have 8 free electives. To see if you can take this area of study within a double degree select from the course offering below.
Asian languages at Monash
Studying languages from across Asia opens you up to a global future and rewarding student experience.
Career options
Overseas opportunities
You can take advantage of numerous opportunities to study in Japan through exchange programs with prominent universities, and scholarships are available from Monash as well as the Japanese government.